Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling will start the seventh Ladies’ Tour of Qatar on Tuesday with several options for success in the race that is traditionally dominated by strong riders in the wind. Former two-time road World Champion Giorgia Bronzini has taken three stages in the desert race, and finished second in the first two editions, while Australian Chloe Hosking is also a former stage winner, with two overall podiums to her credit. Both riders have shown great form in the Australian summer races, with victories in the Mitchelton Bay Crits and the Santos Women’s Tour, and both are focussed on the first UCI-ranked race of 2015.
“Qatar is always a huge objective for me,” Hosking said. “I love the racing, I love the wind, I love echelons!
“I finished second overall there in 2013 and third overall in 2014,” the Australian explained. “If I’m in the right position I would love to go for a GC result. This racing is about being consistent, making the front group everyday, and picking up seconds when you can.
“We’ve got such a strong team that we could go for anyone. It’s exciting to be lining up with such a dynamic squad. I think we can have a serious impact on the race.”
Alongside Bronzini and Hosking will be new signing Jolien D’hoore, who took several top-five and top-ten placings in her debut in the race last year; finishing seventh overall. The 24-year-old Belgian Champion has raced in the colours of Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling this year, winning her national Omnium title on the track in January, but this will be her very first race with her new teammates.
It will also see the debut for D’hoore’s brand new Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling driekleur jersey, in the black, yellow and red colours of the Belgian flag.
“Going to Qatar always feels like the first day of school,” D’hoore smiled. “Everyone is very excited to kick off a new season, and especially for me now.
I’m riding for a new team, new teammates, new staff… We’re having a strong line-up in Qatar and I’m pretty confident in our team performance. I hope I can be of some good help for my team mates and that we can set some good results.”
Also making their debut for Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling in Qatar will be Italian Time Trial Champion Elisa Longo Borghini and Breton Champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot. Both riders have performed well in Qatar in previous editions, but will be working for their teammates this time as they prepare for targets later in the spring.
“It’s great to be racing with the team for the first time,” Longo Borghini said. “The Ladies Tour of Qatar isn’t properly my cup of tea but I’ll use this race as training in sight of the spring classics. I also would like to be an important helper for the team which in my opinion can do some goos results in this race.
“I can’t wait to meet all the Wiggle Honda athletes and staff!”
Wiggle Honda Pro Cycling line up for the Ladies Tour of Qatar (2.1) 3rd-6th February
Giorgia Bronzini (Italy)
Audrey Cordon-Ragot (France)
Jolien D’hoore (Belgium)
Emilia Fahlin (Sweden)
Chloe Hosking (Australia)
Elisa Longo Borghini (Italy)
Stages
Stage 1: Museum of Islamic Art to Dukhan Beach, 98km
Stage 2: Al Zubarah Fort to Madinat Al Shamal, 112km
Stage 3: Souq Waqif to Al Khor Corniche, 93km
Stage 4: Sealine Beach Resort to Doha Corniche, 85km
